, told HuffPost. “While the specific types and quantities of toxins in wildfire smoke are still being studied, we know that inhaling smoke can harm our lungs and overall health. Although wildfire smoke and cigarette smoke may not be identical, the comparison emphasizes that breathing in wildfire smoke can be harmful.”
“It’s important to note that even individuals without pre-existing lung conditions can experience adverse effects from poor air quality,” Scott said. “When exposed to polluted air, a person’s airways can become irritated, resulting in coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing. For individuals already dealing with asthma or other lung diseases, this can further worsen symptoms.”
will still contribute to respiratory symptoms and effects, including bronchitis, reduced lung function, increased risk of asthma and increased risk of emergency room visits and hospitalizations.“The lungs will heal themselves by getting rid of the particles one way or the other. Ultimately, the ash that you inhale is filtered in the upper airway, or lungs,” El-Hasan said.
“Even when the wildfires are out, there’s still particles being sent to us. There’s still ash, gases, excreted from those parts that were burning.”